<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               0
<SECURITIES>                                    19,302
<RECEIVABLES>                                   56,688
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,789
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,705
<PP&E>                                       1,791,052
<DEPRECIATION>                                 865,678
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               5,340,883
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          156,956
<BONDS>                                      3,258,473
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     869,933
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 5,340,883
<SALES>                                        738,746
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               738,746
<CGS>                                          267,505
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  267,505
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               262,591<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             176,354
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (17,761)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,796
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (21,557)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (20,399)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (41,956)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<FN>
<F1>Depreciation and amortization
</FN>